Country Child Spring 19

COUNTRY CHILD Dorset/Somerset

Your Local Free Family Magazine

Spring 19 - Issue: 35

WIN•WIN•WIN

FOUR SEASONS Luxury day out for the family!

FAMILY FITNESS

Focus on Pilates and Yoga

PND STORIES SHARED Two brave mums speak out

TUTORING TIMES

The benefits and the drawbacks of the trend

SPRING INTO SLEEP

Get prepared with the help of our sleep expert

SECOND HAND SUCCESS

Miranda talks about 'fast fashion' and questions cheap clothing 1

WHAT’S ON ■ SHOPPING ■ HOME ■ SCHOOLS ■ FOOD ■ GARDEN ■ COMPETITIONS ■ HEALTH

Give your child the best possible start

Nursery

Nopwting acc2eyear olds

Set in an exquisite rural location, our self-contained purpose-built Nursery is surrounded by 62 acres to explore.

Opportunities to experience dance, music, drama, swimming and a multitude of sports.

Parents of children aged 3 and 4 eligible for government funding may use their 30 hours entitlement.

Weekly sessions in our private indoor heated pool helps to grow children’s water confidence. Our qualified swimming coaches ensure it is always great fun too!

Weekly sessions of Forest School set in our nearby beech wood.

A focus on individual attention enabling children to develop and progress at their own pace in a safe and nurturing environment.

We also run FREE ‘Bushy Tails’ play sessions for under 5s featuring Emma and her Magic Bag! Every Friday during term-time.

9.30am - 10.30am 2

Delicious hot and healthy lunches to help energise growing bodies and minds.

Before and after school care to help busy working families (8am - 6pm).

Call to book your personal visit

01747 812122 • www.clayesmore.com

Welcome to Spring

H

ello and welcome to the spring edition of Country Child. At last, it’s that time of year when attics and cupboards up and down the country are taking back ownership of the winter coats, hats and gloves.

Yes, the birds are beginning to sing with a little more gusto and our gardens and parks are, once again, beckoning the children to ‘Come and play’ – it’s been a long time coming but we are officially out of hibernation.

As ever, we’ve had a lot of fun compiling this magazine for you and hope you’ll enjoy perusing the pages, when time allows!

We’ve dedicated this edition of Country Child to Health and Wellbeing and, as you’ll see, we have some brilliant content on that theme. For those of you considering taking up Yoga or Pilates this spring, but aren’t too sure which is best for you, Anneke Pettenburger-Perwald is on hand to offer some really helpful advice on pages 10 and 11.

Post Natal depression is something which can often be brushed under the carpet and rarely discussed, but thanks to two Country

Child readers who have been willing to share their own PND stories, we’re lifting the lid on this potentially crippling condition and breaking the silence – head to page 17 for a very candid read on the topic.

For those of you with a child who has a tendency to worry, we hope you’ll find the article on childhood anxiety a helpful and encouraging read. As many as 1 in 6 young people will experience an anxiety condition at some point in their lives, and we’re grateful to the charity, The Sunflower Trust, for sharing some great coping mechanisms with our readers on page 39.

The arrival of spring can mean only one thing…clock change!

Getting young children off to bed when the nights are getting lighter and longer is enough to bring any parent out in a cold sweat. Fortunately for us, sleep expert Lucy Barker is on hand to help us all enjoy a smooth transition into the spring season. Have a read on page 15.

Hannah Woolven is looking at the popular topic of tutoring and asks why parents up and down the country are employing tutors to supplement their children’s learning – as ever, a great read from Hannah; turn to pages 26 and 27 to learn more.

Mike Dilger is back with the perfect spring challenge; this time he’s encouraging us to get out on a floral foray and look for six iconic British flowers – how well will your family do?

As the warmer weather arrives, the calendar in our Events and Shows section on pages 19 through to 23 is really hotting up.

There’s so much going on across the counties over the next few months, we’re sure you’ll find something that takes your fancy.

And, finally, we have some brilliant competitions to be won; from book giveaways to funky towels and family meals, there really is something for everyone! And, as the saying goes, ‘You’ve gotta be in it to win it!’ Good Luck!

Meet the team...

PUBLISHER

Jo Leigh jo@countrychild.co.uk

EDITOR

Miranda Avis miranda@countrychild.co.uk Follow us

@countrychildmag @countrychildmagazine @countrychildmag

Neither Country Child Limited (trading as Country Child Magazine) nor any of its predecessors, affiliated companies, directors or employees, shall be liable for the accuracy or reliability of any of the content (including advertisements) published in Country Child Magazine or other information accessed directly or indirectly from Country Child Magazine, nor shall they be liable for the quality of any products, information or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by any consumer, as a result of an advertisement or any other information or offer in connection with the service or products. Country Child Limited shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions contained within any content (including advertisement) published in Country Child Magazine.

Media Sales Matthew Cull

matthewcullmedia@gmail.com

Writer

Hannah Woolven

Writer

Hanne Bonczoszek

Cover and Feature Photography by

Millie Pilkington

CONTRIBUTORS: Mike Dilger, Lee Keeling, Lucy Barker, Anneke Pettenburger-Perwald, Sunflower Trust, Lolly Agency, Anna Timmis of mypilatesanna@gmail.com, David Hamilton, Amanda Bristow, Nicky Cook, Four Seasons, The Holiday Shop London, Sherborne Castle Country Fair, Hindon Primary School, Leweston School and St James Place Wealth Management.

ARTWORK: Jo Vincent Art. DISTRIBUTION: Katherine Shean, Jessica Rowland, Jennifer Oakes, Geoff Humphries, Rick and Micky Poyser.

Spring Fundraiser Walk

Join the Children’s Vale of Pewsey Support Group

on Sunday 14th April for their annual walk in the stunning Wiltshire countryside. A 6 mile circular walk on the Downs around Woodborough. £5 per person.

To book please call Alison on 01672 56277

Or if you like the sound of something a bit further afield why not enquire about Trek Bosnia, our flagship international challenge!

Call Catherine

Butt on 01722 790111 or visit www.hopeandhomes.org for more information.

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Open Morning Saturday 4th May 2019 9.30am - 11.30am A co-educational day and boarding school from 2-13

‘‘It is possible to go and do anything after coming here.’’

TATLER SCHOOLS GUIDE 2018

t. 01747 857914 | www.portregis.com | e. admissions@portregis.com

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Minibus routes available

Contents 28

Spring 2019

WIN a day out at The Four Seasons The ultimate luxury family day...

The Worry Wart Helping your child to overcome their anxiety

32

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39

Interior Ideas It's a Dog's Life

What's in Store Bathtime bubbles, fun and relaxation

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Country Child Loves Our spring selection including a competition!

Family Fitness Focus on Family Pilates and Yoga

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Food Glorious Food Foraging Fun, recipe ideas and WIN the book!

7 Family Frolics & Fiascos - Hanne B is off to to the cricket!

10 & 11 Family Fitness - Focus on Family Pilates and Yoga.

13 Country Child Loves - Our Spring selection including a competition!

15 Spring into Sleep - Get prepared with the help of our sleep expert.

16 & 17 Your PND Stories - Two Country Child readers break the silence and speak out.

19 Inside Out - Places To Go and Things To Do. 20 & 21 Calendar Pull-Out - What’s on this spring season.

22 Toddler Timetable - Your local parent and toddler group activities.

23 Show and Tell - Live and local entertainment for the family in and around your area.

24 & 25 Top Marks - All the news from the schools, plus NEW Meet the Teacher interview.

26 & 27 Tutoring Times - The benefits and the drawbacks of the trend.

28 Four Seasons Giveaway - WIN a family day out at this luxury hotel.

29 Bookworms - Book reviews from children at a local school.

31 Second Hand Success - Miranda talks about 'fast fashion' and questions cheap clothing.

33 Window Shopping - Our pick of some superb local town houses.

32 Interior Ideas - It's a Dog's Life!

35 Food Glorious Food - The joys of family foraging, recipe ideas and you can WIN the book!

37 Great Outdoors - Mike is sending us all off on a floral foray this spring!

41 Intergenerational Initiative - A local initiative proves inspirational.

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Show and Tell Local and live entertainment

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Organised & run by volunteers to raise funds for West Country Children’s Charities Sherborne Castle Country Fair

27 MAY BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

www.sherbornecountryfair.co.uk

Knighton House Where Girls Lead

....................................................................

• Excellent academic results: scholarships to senior schools • • A confidence-building start to education for girls • • Beautiful rural campus in the heart of Dorset • • Full extra-curricular programme • ....................................................................

New rebased day fees to 2010 levels, and fixed for two years. Making the best start more affordable.

Knighton House School, Durweston, Dorset DT11 0PY Tel: 01258 452065 www.knightonhouse.co.uk

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CC Knighton House 125mmx90mm.indd 1

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Day, flexi and full boarding for girls aged 7-13 years.

Day for boys and girls aged 3-7 07/02/2019 11:32:38

Family Frolics & Fiascos

By Hanne B

I

t’s springtime!

I base that announcement not on the weather. I haven’t the faintest what is going on there. No, I base my observations on the fact that I can say with some confidence that I have finally hoover’ed up the last stubborn pine needles from the carpet and that I can once again see the back of the freezer. We have spent the past few months consuming leftovers from Christmas. We had 22 guests. Apparently, my cooking brain only has two settings; seating for four or seating for 100.

Karen called yesterday with another indication that we have moved in to the vernal season. It is time for the annual springtime cricket game on her parent’s lawn. Surprisingly, in spite of last year’s disaster involving my ‘wannabe Retriever’ Cockapoo and the cricket ball, we are invited.

It took some time convincing my son that no matter what recent Oxford University studies show, he does need the occasional break from Fortnite so as to avoid developing rickets. It took an equal amount of time convincing my daughter that there is only so much slime you can make. Actually, my logic is no match for hers, so I changed tac and bribed her with the promise of Karen’s mum’s brownies.

Everyone, even Victoria, has turned up for this little annual event.

‘You didn’t bring the dog then?’ Karen’s dad winks at me as he often does in a ‘ah bless’ sort of way. I look at his three retrievers Huey, Louie and Dewey, sitting side by side along the drawn up line on the lawn. ‘Yours can do this too, with a bit of training, you know.’ He winks again and I judge it only polite to wink back.

The game is under way. Girls against boys, as always, and the boys are keen to bring the trophy home after years of defeat. My daughter is batting and my son is fielding. I watch my daughter from the

non-strikers end as she skies the ball and I feel proud as punch, but only for a moment until I spot, my son running backwards, eyes fixed on the ball and steering straight towards the three dogs.

They, of course, are not intending to move as no one has told them to do so.

Behind them, Victoria is helping Karen’s mum arrange the cakes and sandwiches in a wonderful display. Beautiful little vases with daffodils and tulips adorn the table, which is covered in a lacy white tablecloth. Victoria, astute as she is, spots the impending disaster and shouts, in her panicked state, the only word she knows to get Huey, Louie and Dewey off their bottoms ‘Fetch!!”

Now, where does one securely tie three dogs on a lawn? There are loungers and chairs out, of course, but their light frames would not stand a pull from three hunting dogs. No, Karen’s dad has sensibly found a “safer” and sturdier pole on which to attached the leads; the corner leg of the dining table.

It turns out, even an elongated dining table, full of brownies, cucumber sandwiches, scones and sponges (Karen’s mum has the same cooking settings as I do), is no match for three dogs who have just been told to ‘fetch’.

On our way home, I try to explain to my inconsolable daughter that the five-second rule doesn’t apply when a dog might have licked the food that has been dropped. My son suggests that next year we join dad at the Tottenham match instead…as long as he gets to bring his phone.

H

anne Bonczoszek is a local author whose first Children’s book ‘Esther’s Invisible Grandma’ is available via facebook. com/invisiblegrandma. Hanne lives in Salisbury with her husband, her two children and a Cockapoo named Enzo.

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Buy tickets:

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What´s in Store Bathtime Beauties!

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 1. Cath Kidston Sunshine Bath Mat £25 cathkidston.co.uk  2. Duck Bath Plug £2 uk.flyingtiger.com  3. Cowshed Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath & Body Oil with a fresh, herbaceous fragrance. £23 cowshed.com/uk  4. New Look Multicoloured Unicorn Poo Bath Bomb Pack £6.99 newlook.com  5. Bonnie The Bunny Bath Mitt. £6.95. rexlondon.com  6. Wee Gallery Bath Book - Who's in the Water? £8 mamaandmax. com  7. Cuddleduck for bathtime play. £10.99 cuddledry.com  8. Odylique is a high performance, sophisticated and award-winning organic skincare range, created by mother and daughter team, Margaret and Abi Weeds. Gentle Wash & Shampoo, £11.50 odylique.co.uk  9. Baylis & Harding Kids! Foaming Bath Goo Assorted Designs. £2 sainsburys.co.uk  10. Kneipp Enjoy Life Herbal Bath Oil, May Chang Lemon (100ml) £9.95 kneipp.com  11. For a secure and slip free bath solution for babies, Munchkin Sit and Soak Bath Tub is ideal. £29.99 argos.co.uk

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Fitness for all the Family

As part of our wellbeing issue, we chat to Anneke Pettenburger-Perwald from Perpetual Energy and find out how Yoga and Pilates can benefit the whole family at any age.

I

would like to think that if Joseph Pilates and Iyengar sat down together over a cuppa they would have a lot in common. After all, Joseph Pilates studied Eastern and Western forms of movement including Yoga, Zen and ancient Greek regimens. Add to this his background in gymnastics and boxing and you have a fairly well-rounded approach to movement.

But, how do we go about choosing the best discipline for ourselves? Pilates? Yoga? Or maybe both? I hope I can shed a bit of light on this subject and get a few more converts onto either a Yoga or Pilates mat to lead a healthy, happy 2019.

Let’s start by taking a look at

Pilates.

I have to admit; the first time I set foot in a Pilates studio it was for the 6-pack abs! I quickly realized it offered so much more.

In the hands of a qualified teacher, Pilates can be a powerful tool to achieve goals and rehabilitate injuries as well as improve posture and correct imbalance caused by habitual patterns. And, what’s more it can be practiced by all ages:

Toddlers

Nowadays, due to changes in lifestyle, low muscle tone amongst toddlers is on the rise. Considering an adapted form of Pilates, suitable for toddlers, can hold amazing benefits for both mom and child.

Teens

Creating an awareness of the importance of posture and alignment amongst this age group will encourage healthy habits for the future. As teenagers experience growth spurts, musculoskeletal changes need to be considered for future performance; especially in sports-specific activities. Pilates strives to identify and correct imbalances. It assists in body confidence and alleviates anxiety and stress.

to correct diastasis recti, strengthen core stabilizers, improve posture during breastfeeding, aid with recovery from Sacroiliac Dysfunction and help with overall strength and mobility.

Sports Specific

Pilates can improve stability and core strength. There are generally a host of classes to pick from with a sports-specific focus from golf, tennis, running or cycling. It is best to book private sessions to address specific needs and improve performance if you have specific goals in mind.

Rehabilitation, Injury and Pain

Correctly applied and adapted, Pilates can alleviate chronic pain ranging from back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hip or knee pain. It would be wise to work with your physiotherapist in conjunction with your Pilates instructor to achieve best results.

Later Years

As we get older, our balance decreases as well as bone density. It is vital to address this through specific repertoire and weight bearing exercises.

Pilates Mat work and specific equipment Pilates uses body weight and spring resistance to bring about health and wellbeing.

Pre and Post Natal

The focus of the Pilates repertoire will shift from first to third trimester with appropriate safe exercises for each stage. Practicing diaphragmatic breath, learning the ability to contract and completely relax the pelvic floor and moving the body safely, can greatly aid in health and comfort during pregnancy. Post Pregnancy Pilates is a great tool

Photography by Millie Pilkington Models from MyPilates with Anna Timmis.

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Let’s move on to

Yoga

The first Yoga class I ventured into was a Bikram class in the early 1990’s. At that stage I was still in advertising and needed some Ohm time to de-stress. Even though I enjoyed the physical challenge and heat, I didn’t commit to this as a singular practice. I dropped in and out of various classes until, in 2016, I attended a Jivamukhti Yoga class. It felt like I had come home. Stealing those 10 minutes for quiet meditation was like an oasis in a desert of daily responsibility. There are numerous forms of Yoga ranging from Yin that is restorative to Ashtanga, which is a strong, challenging practice. It can all be a bit daunting when it comes to choosing a class. The best way to find the right form of Yoga for you would be to attend a few classes until you find a style or teacher that inspires you to get onto your mat, every day, and see how life shifts not only on the mat, but off your mat as well.

Toddlers

My little ones have attended Yoga since the age of 3. The joy they experience doing Yoga is palpable. It has allowed them a space to explore what they are capable of physically and helps them integrate the big emotions they deal with every day.

Teens

Teens are faced with challenges ranging from performance to peer pressure. Yoga equips them with tools to deal with life. Working with breath, meditation and movement it instills a sense of wellbeing.

Pregnancy and Beyond

I connected with a group of mums at Pregnancy Yoga, we ended up doing Post-natal Yoga together and we are still friends. Aside from the physical benefits, the emotional support offered in this transitional phase of life is of immeasurable value. Taking time daily to connect with yourself, your unborn child and then eventually your baby nurtures a loving and balanced relationship.

Health and Sports Specific

Yoga practiced correctly not only increases flexibility but also strength and mobility. Many athletes add this to their repertoire of movement. Sports clubs start or end their practice with Yoga to improve performance and mobility. The applications and benefits are endless.

Rehabilitation, Injury and Pain

Yoga works joints through a full range of motion and the postures you’ll learn generally utilize all planes of movement, making it ideal for rehabilitation of injuries. Most postures can be adapted if need be to suit specific needs. Discuss all injuries with your Yoga instructor before class to ensure they are aware of contra-indications and make the necessary adaptions.

I suggest exploring both Yoga and Pilates; do not discount a style after you have tried just one class or teacher. Have fun and find what you love. Once movement becomes part of your daily routine life will never be the same again. I am truly grateful to the incredible teachers that have shared their years of experience with me and I hope to share these incredible forms of movement from a place of humble admiration for the gifts we are given. perpetualenergy.org

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BINKY BUNNY

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id you know the average UK child will eat around 8 Easter eggs a year, at around 1,000 calories per egg?

Instead of opting for chocolate this year, why not offer your children a lifelong companion instead? Merrythought, are the oldest teddy bear manufacturer in the UK including the ever-soendearing Binky Bunny. Handmade from the finest dove-grey mohair, Binky Bunny is an alternative gift for Easter. £79. merrythought.co.uk

MOTHER'S DAY

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evizes, The Healthy Life Co's eco-warrior owner Justina Pettifer, has launched a new online store, offering a staggering 14,000 healthy life products amongst many other great wellbeing wonders. The online range includes a wide variety of healthy foods and snacks perfect for families. In addition to the new facility, Justina's town centre shop continue's to offer its customers products such as gluten free, dairy free, vegan, organic, British made and more. The shop also operates a new click and collect initiative as well as a courier service for those living further afield.

But the best drive from this plucky independent retailer is that they are finding more ways to reduce plastic waste in the form of removing single-use plastics from their shelves. Even better still the shop can now offer a refill system for household cleaners, hand soap and foods such as seeds, nuts, dried fruit, flour and porridge oats.

What an inspirational standard this lady and her shop is setting! yourhealthylifeshop.co.uk

BRIGHT EYES

L

ocal firm Bright Eyes has recently launched their fantastic new hats; a fun way to keep kids, teens and young adults seen at night.

The hats in eight designs contain two ultra bright white LED lights integrated into the eyes of the animal hat allowing you to use as a torch and be seen at the same time! From £17.95 brighteyeshats.com

A few of our simple choices for Mother's Day. his ban.do travel and fitness exercise mat is a fun way to get active. The wine can wait until after. £29. uk.bando.com ums can make a statement with the four designs on the reverse of these versatile jumpers. Each one features Sophie’s striking animal illustrations, bound to turn heads. It's perfect to pop on at home or as another layer to venture outside in. £45, sophieallport.com ow this is a gift that does not cost the earth and is really all mummy needs on the special day. A cup of tea that says it all, the George Home Mummy Mug only £1! direct.asda.com/george

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SUPER COOL, SUPER DRY

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WIN

he Holiday Shop London, established by sisters Alice Geddes and Lucinda Bull are passionate about introducing families to their super-versatile, colourful and affordable holiday and lifestyle accessories.

Inspired by their love of travel and antipodean heritage, Alice and Lucinda, known affectionately as the Emu Sisters, are dedicated to providing products that are easy and practical to use and that meet the demands of children and family members of all ages.

Forming part of their stunning collections, are the super-fast drying Microfibre Star Towels, which are exclusive to The Holiday Shop London.

These colourful towels are extremely soft, easy to hang and compact down into neat, colour coordinated star pouches - perfect for adults and children alike to take camping, swimming sailing or on your summer holiday.

Mindful that holidays and leisure-time should be fun, easy and relaxing, The Holiday Shop London offer a one-stop-shop for lifestyle accessories, including Dry Bags, Neoprene Bags, Running Belts and Air Loungers.” Take a look via: theholidayshop.london

Would you like to WIN these towels to take on holiday?

Simply email the answer to the question below: Which large bird are the sisters effectionately known as?

Email: info@countrychild.co.uk with your name and full address details by the 1st April. Winners will be drawn at random. Editor's decision is final.

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OPEN DAYS FRI 1 MARCH FRI 17 MAY 2019 10 AM – 12 NOON

Your child at our heart Contact the Registrar on 01722 555300 admissions@salisburycathedralschool.co.uk www.salisburycathedralschool.com CO-EDUCATIONAL PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGED 3-13

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Photography by Millie Pilkington

Spring into Sleep The lighter nights are coming! Sleep expert Lucy Barker is here to offer us some tips and tricks.

C

lock changes can be a nightmare for parents of young children because it threatens the thing we treasure most: sleep. So hard won yet so easily knocked off kilter, it’s easy to understand why anything that might disrupt a good sleep routine can be faced with absolute dread.

Of the two clock-changes, Spring – when we move the clock forward – can be the easier to manage because you’re not asking a child to sleep beyond their usual wake-up time. But for most parents, it’s the shift into shorter nights which causes the most anxiety, with lighter mornings wreaking havoc on even the most established sleep patterns. But this doesn’t have to be the case: follow my simple steps for surviving the Spring Clock Change … and beyond!

For the clock change itself, you have three options in which you can tackle the upcoming clock change:

Cold Turkey

Hit that clock change head on. If 7pm is their usual bedtime, go for 6pm on Saturday night instead.

Gradual Shift

From Wednesday night, gradually bring their bedtime forward by 15minutes a night. So, if 7pm is bedtime, put them to bed at 6.45 on Weds, 6.30 on Thursday, 6.15 on Friday and bingo! 6pm on Saturday night.

Split the Difference

Go for a 6.30pm bedtime on Saturday night and ‘normal’ bedtime on Sunday.

Now, let’s talk about those lighter mornings and evenings. Lots of us encounter struggles with our children during these months, when daylight at 5am can make even the most solid sleeper think it’s time to get up. It’s hard for little ones who can’t yet tell the time to not see daylight as a wake-up or stay-up cue, especially if they don’t have a secure settle or are struggling with overtiredness.

There are some really basic things we can do to help our children to keep on track, even when it’s light outside: • Fit quality blackout blinds that will completely block every single dot of daylight out. By always keeping the room dark, your little one’s routine will barely change regardless of whether it’s June or January. If necessary go for a low-watt amber nightlight.

• Spend time outside during the day. Daylight is fantastic at regulating our internal clocks, but be mindful of adequate winddown time before bed.

• Make sure they’re getting enough sleep. Overtiredness causes early rising, night-wakings and nap battles. So get to know your child’s Wakeful Window and look out for their sleep cues, especially as they settle into their new Spring rhythm. If they’re unsettled or you’re seeing a consistent early rise, respond with naps or early beds. If they’re struggling to make it to bedtime, an emergency catnap of no more than 30mins before 4pm will see them through.

• A Sleep Clock is fantastic for toddlers from around 2-2.5yrs. They give children a really simple visual cue of when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to get up – this is super helpful when it’s light at 4.30am!

Above all, be absolutely consistent in your routine and pay attention to what’s going on. Don’t automatically blame those lighter mornings if your little one is suddenly struggling to adapt. Have a look at what’s going on overall with their sleep: any child that’s waking regularly at 5.30am, regardless of time of year, is displaying classic signs of overtiredness, and falling asleep easily at bedtime is an even bigger clue. If this is your child, go for early beds for at least a week, and review their naps: despite what your little one is telling you, most children will still need a daytime sleep of sorts until they’re around three-and-a-half.

Whatever your plan, be consistent, be proactive and be aware. And you’ll all be sleeping like babies!

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Your PND Stories Shared

“ ...some of the mums also had experience with it, in different ways and different manifestations...

“

Photography by Millie Pilkington

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Post Natal Depression affects many unsuspecting parents. With the help of two brave mums who are each willing to tell their story, we’re breaking the silence on this crippling condition.

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ostnatal depression is common, surprisingly common.

Affecting at least one in eight new mums, PND symptoms can include tiredness, anxiety, low moods, insomnia and can cause changes to eating patterns.

Two mothers spoke candidly to Country Child about their own experiences with Post Natal Depression and below are their stories, which we are so grateful to them for sharing.

"Looking back, I was so naïve during my first pregnancy, I couldn’t really get my head round the fact that I was going to be ‘a parent’. Not because I didn’t want to be a mother, more because it all just felt way too grown up and too hard to grasp. To be totally honest, I didn’t appreciate just how big a deal becoming a mummy really was. Until he was born that is. From the very second my son arrived in the world, I was consumed with a feeling of pure fear. What had I done? I didn’t gaze at him and feel unadulterated love, I looked at him and felt completely out of my depth and so, so anxious. I remember people telling me this was normal, I was just experiencing the baby blues. After all, the birth had been lengthy and traumatic and it was ‘only natural’ that I was feeling out of my comfort zone. But, I knew that wasn’t the case. I knew that my persistent level of anxiety was not ‘normal’. I was scared to feed him, scared to change him and the thought of being on my own with him was beyond terrifying.

To make matters worse, when our son was six weeks old, we relocated for my husband’s job. Moving to a new city with a new baby is without doubt the single hardest thing I’ve ever done. Each morning I’d wake up terrified about the day ahead with my baby. I didn’t want to leave the house and yet being alone inside those four walls was so excruciating, too. I remember my mother-in-law telling me that this whole experience would make me stronger, but I couldn’t see how. As far as I was concerned, before becoming a mother I’d been a successful, confident career woman…and now, I felt a shadow of that person.

I was so lucky to sign on with a wonderful GP. She understood my situation and was so kind, so caring. On one of my many visits to the surgery she told me, “Getting to grips with motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint” and how right she was. As hard as it was, I started to venture out to various mother and baby groups and even met some mums who were experiencing similar feelings to me. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so alone. Bit by bit, the fear got a little less, bit by bit my confidence returned and bit by bit I started to enjoy, love and cherish motherhood. If there’s any new mother out there reading this and feeling in the middle of a thick fog, it will get better, I promise, and you will get through this…and what’s more, you’ll probably go and do it all again. xx" If you feel you may be suffering from Post Natal Depression, consult your GP in the first instance.

"

I had always thought that PND meant you lay in bed all day or cried in supermarkets (in the same way that I could not understand what stay at home mums did during the day – ha, well I know now!).

I didn’t realise I wasn’t well for a long time. I had my son in 2013, we still lived in London, and I had just left a fairly senior project manager position and was very happy to not be commuting any more. I was a member of a pre-natal group so I had a group of other new mums to share stories and coffee trips with. My son was lovely; healthy, beautiful, a brilliant sleeper (please don’t hate me), I really had nothing to complain about.

But as soon as my husband’s paternity leave finished, things went downhill. But not in a crying in supermarkets way (although I did burst into tears in the doctors once). Instead I compulsively planned every second of my days, if a plan fell through or someone let me down, it really crushed me. I knew exactly how many minutes there were until my husband would be home and woe betide him if he was late. And worst of all, I didn’t really feel anything for my gorgeous new baby.

My mum remembers me asking her when I was meant to start feel love for him. It was a kind of numbness.

It didn’t go away, I just found coping mechanisms, I started designing again, started a small business and basically filled my days up so I didn’t have to think. I still felt numb and empty and not at all like myself but I was busy.

Then we moved, I got pregnant again and after I had my daughter in 2016, things didn’t improve but I was even busier so I could pretend there was still nothing wrong. Finally though my body couldn’t take it anymore, I lost all my energy, I slept whenever I could, my voice started to slur sometimes (my sister accused me of being an alcoholic) and my mother insisted I went to the doctors.

After that appointment (and a few more until I found the right doctor for me) and a lot of reading, I finally realised that I was suffering from PND and possibly had suffered with some kind of depression for most of my life. I opened up to friends about it (we don’t talk about it enough) and found that some of the mums also had experience with it, in different ways and different manifestations – none of us are the same. I started running again, learnt to swim properly and finally with my 2 amazing sisters (who have both been on the same sort of journey as me), started doing triathlons.

I am also on anti-depressants. It is hard to shake the stigma that they seem to carry with them but I tell myself I am missing some chemicals in my brain that they just replace.

But I can’t deny the fact that 5 years after first giving birth, I finally can feel that rush of overwhelming love again – for my children, for my husband, for my business (it’s called Worry Less Design - even my business is about exercising and mental health!)

I am still a work in progress, I have good weeks and bad weeks, on occasion things can still crush me when they go wrong (toilet training toddlers etc etc) but I’m getting there."

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OPEN MORNING 9th MARCH

traditionally modern hanfordschool.co.uk or call Karen on 01258 860219

Inside Out

Castle Capers

Places To Go Things To Do

Packed Programme

WIN

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ountry Child are proud to announce the details of the mighty Sherborne Castle Country Fair held annually in the magnificent grounds of Sherborne Castle. Again in 2019 it is our pleasure to collaborate with the hardworking team at the show to offer you a chance of winning one of two family passes to the fair.

This country fair is one of the most popular events in the country calendar presenting a rich programme of events, country activities, stands and entertainment including one of the best Rare Breed Shows in the UK. Each year, for one day only in early summer, one of the country's finest settings is transformed into a funfilled day out for all ages - including spectacular lakeside Dragon Boat Racing, Circus, Gundog Retriever Trials in the Deer Park, Dog Shows, Scurries and Main Ring Events. This year in the main ring the show will have a wonderful display of Cossack Riding from Guido Louis and an exciting program of BMX trick jumps and much more! The fair is organised by volunteers and will be raising funds for children’s charities, so go and have some fun and help give deserving children and youth charities some well needed funds..

Bank Holiday Monday 27 May 2019. The Fair is open from 10am to 6pm and car parking is free. Family passes can be purchased in advance from £25.50.

Remember to try to win a day here send your entry in to us! sherbornecountryfair.com

To be in with a chance of winning a family pass to the fair simply answer: Which type of bike will be showcasing trick jumps?

T&C"s Email: info@countrychild.co.uk no later than the 1st May 2019. Editor's decision is final.

Snout and About

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his Spring, Peppa Pig will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in the UK with some oink-tastic events including a brand new cinema release, Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun, and of course the ever popular annual Peppa Pig's Muddy Puddle Walk for Save the Children to raise funds that will help children around the world.

Perfectly timed to entertain the kids ahead of the Easter holidays, little piggies can look forward to one whole hour of snorts and giggles with songs to sing along to and dances and movements to join in with; making it the perfect cinema outing for pre-schoolers and family. Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun will be released in cinemas nationwide from 5th April 2019 Continuing the anniversary celebrations, the annual Muddy Puddle Walk for Save the Children, this year's event is sponsored by The Entertainer and also celebrates the Save the Children’s centenary. The charity hopes that even more people will sign up, take part and donate. Puddle stomping starts 13th May for a week of super fun fundraising, children (and adults too!) can pull on their wellies and set off to jump in muddy puddles – real or imaginary.

Go to: muddypuddlewalk.org to receive your free Fundraising Pack

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noll Gardens will be hosting over 70 events this year to celebrate 25 years of owner, Neil Lucas’s arrival. In 2019 the centre offers year-round horticultural masterclasses, walks and workshops, all led by Neil, alongside an increased line-up of guided walks, wildlife events and art, craft and photography workshops, as well as Knoll’s first Festival of Grasses. This festival will focus on the glory of ornamental grasses in the autumn when so many gardens are past their best.

Knoll’s event programme starts in mid March with offerings such as a mini-masterclass on preparing grasses for summer, a willow weaving workshop, an evening bat walk, a beginners’ macro photography workshop, the first of four seasonal garden walks (led by Neil), a bee walk, volunteers day, terrarium and mosaic workshops and outdoor yoga plus Neil’s naturalistic gardening workshop.

Knoll Gardens award-winning nursery offers thousands of grasses and flowering perennials alongside an impressive collection of rare and unusual trees and shrubs. Check out their event programme for dates here: knollgardens.co.uk

Markets now in the following towns and cities: SaliSbury, ameSbury, TidworTh, warminSTer, andover, wincheSTer To book a table for any of the markets contact Emily on emilyg@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk 19

MARCH

WHAT'S ON EVENT GUIDE MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1 Salisbury Cathedral Open Day

2 Clayesmore School Open Day Vintage Somerset Fairs Wells Little Monsters Market, Frome Youth & Community Centre

3 Artisan Market, Salisbury Superslam Wrestling, Bournemouth SWRC Winter League SJ Champs Dorset Showground

APRIL

Estate Agents

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4 Hazel Hurdles Workshop, Salisbury

5 Wildlife Photography Exhibition, Taunton

6 Wildlife Photography Exhibition, Taunton Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

7 Family Felting, Trowbridge Museum Taunton Farmers Market

8 All Hallows Prep Open Morning Spring Steam Gala at the Watercress Line Winterslow Comedy Night

9 Hanford School Open Morning Horris Hill Open Morning The Great Shafesbury Marma-Fest!

Pre-loved Spring Sale, Mells

10 Spring Steam Gala at the Watercress Line Wilton House Antiques Fair, Wilton

11 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury

12 Dorset Wildlife Trust Talks, Poole Introducing Solids Workshop The Baby Grow Club, Salisbury

13 Digital Photography Evening Classes, The Mitre Pub, Shaftesbury

14 Taunton Farmers Market Knit & Natter, Cobbs at Wilton

15 Easter Exhibition Amesbury Art Gallery St Mary's Shaftesbury Open Morning Under 5s Rhyme time at Salisbury Library

16 Sandroyd School Open Morning Flower Show & Plant Fair, Wimborne The Boy & The Mermaid, Lighthouse Poole The Fleetwood Mac Songbook at Shaftesbury Arts Centre Community Open Day, Nadder Centre, Tisbury

17 Car Boot Sundays, Salisbury Superslam Wrestling,, Bournemouth Film & Comic Con Bournemouth 2019 DIY Slime, Winchester Science Museum MATB @ Angola 76, Shaftesbury

18 Just Take That Charity Night, Octagon Theatre Yeovil

19 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury

20 Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum Stonehenge Healing and Activations Little Fins Kids Club, Dolphin Centre Poole

21 The South, Frome Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

22 Seashore Ramble, Brownsea Island 1-2-1 Writer mentoring session with Alan Ward, Gillingham Library A Bunch of Amateurs Motcombe Hall

23 The Gin To My Tonic Festival Bournemouth Coastal Foraging and Edible Seaweed Course, Studland Holistic, Health and Wellbeing Weekend at The Castle, Taunton The 9th Model Engineering and Hobbies Exhibition, Salisbury

24 Upton Wood Volunteer Day, Poole The King and I, Bristol Hippodrome Daisy’s Dream Charity Team Skydive, Salisbury Spring Little Pickles Market, The Cheese and Grain

25 Salisbury Cathedral School Talk

26 The King and I, Bristol Hippodrome

27 Thomas Hardye School Musical Showcases, Dorchester Arts, Dorchester

28 The King and I, Bristol Hippodrome

29 Vintage Market, Salisbury Martin Kemp, Back to the 80s Party, City Hall Salisbury

30 Mother's Day Bowood House and Gardens Comedy Kerfuffle, Shaftesbury Arts Centre Little Monsters Market, Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre

31 Fly Out Old Sarum Dorchester Spring Vegan Market Mother's Day at Farmer Palmer's

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1 Autism Friendly Hour, Wareham Library Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage

2 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Poole Dream Machines

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4 The King and I, Bristol Hippodrome Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks Taunton Farmers Market

5 Brickosaurs - Marwell Zoo Clean Seas Week, Durlston Counterfeit Sixties Show, Sturminster Newton

6 Coastal Foraging and Edible Seaweed Course, Studland Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

7 Artisan Market, Salisbury Clean Seas Week, Durlston Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

8 Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave Roald Dahl Trio - Easter Workshop (4-6 years) Stagecoach Salisbury

9 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage Poole Dream Machines Creative Kids Art Camp, AND Hockey Camp Leweston School

10 Stargazing at Durlston Clean Seas Week, Durlston Easter Fun Warminster, Smallbrook Meadows nature reserve Spring Ranger Days, Brownsea Island

11 Brickosaurs - Marwell Zoo Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks Creative Kids Art Camp, AND Hockey Camp Leweston School

12 Clean Seas Week, Durlston Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

13 Stargazing at Durlston Canoe Easter Egg Hunt, New Forest Activities, Beaulieu Clean Seas Week, Durlston Bright for Sight Night Run Weymouth Spring Forage & Feast Fore Adventure, Studland

14 Car Boot Sundays, Salisbury Canoe Easter Egg Hunt, New Forest Activities, Beaulieu Hope and Homes Spring Fundraiser Walk, Pewsey Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave

15 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury

16 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage Poole Dream Machines

17 Clean Seas Week, Durlston Spring Ranger Days, Brownsea Island Little Fins Kids Club, Dolphin Centre Poole

18 Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks Taunton Farmers Market Osho Leela Easter Fest, Gillingham

19 Toy Barn Easter Egg Hunt, Sherborne Easter at Lulworth Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge & Cave

20 Coastal Foraging and Edible Seaweed Course, Studland Easter at Lulworth Dr Ranj's Teddybear Hospital Brewery Square, Dorchester

21 Clean Seas Week, Durlston Easter at Lulworth Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 2019, Mompesson House

22 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage

23 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Poole Dream Machines

24 Brickosaurs Marwell Zoo From Page To Screen Festival Bridport

25 Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks Taunton Farmers Market

26 Vintage Market, Salisbury Seashore Ramble, Brownsea Island Fashion Catwalk Show, Messums Wiltshire

27 Stargazing at Durlston From Page To Screen Festival Bridport Kayak, Fish, Forage & Feast, Studland Tiger Day XI, Tank Museum

28 From Page To Screen Festival Bridport St. George's Day in Salisbury Sarum Spring Show 2019

Abbot

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Slater Estate Agents

CALENDAR SPRING 2019 TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

29 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury

30 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage Poole Dream Machines

1 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Snakes, A Slither into a Secretive Life Wiltshire Museum

2 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage Taunton Farmers Market

3 St Mary's Shaftesbury Open Morning Sherborne Abbey Music Festival Flรถ: Flute & Violin Concert Music at GMC

4 Port Regis Open Morning Coastal Foraging and Edible Seaweed Course, Studland Lyme Regis Fossil Festival Downton Cuckoo Fair Greenfields Open Day 2019, Bishopstone

5 North Dorset Village Marathon Sturminster Newton Sherborne Abbey Music Festival Dorset Knob Throwing & Food Festival Kingston Maurward College

6 All Hallows Open Morning Sherborne Abbey Music Festival Open Morning, Bruton School for Girls

7 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Poole Dream Machines

8 Brickosaurs 9 Sherborne Blue Marwell Zoo Badge Guided Discover Durrington Walks Walls

10 Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, Swanage

11 Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, Swanage Christchurch Food Festival Taunton Feel Good Festival 2019 Amesbury May Fayre

12 Lyme Regis May Fete Shaftesbury Food & Drink Festival Bohemian Rhapsody Outdoor Cinema Experience, Frome Cricket Club

13 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury

14 Brickosaurs Marwell Zoo Poole Dream Machines Salisbury Yoga and Wellbeing Day

15 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage Little Fins Kids Club, Dolphin Centre Poole

16 Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks

17 Salisbury Cathedral Open Day

18 Sandroyd School Open Morning Wingwalk for Weldmar Compton Abbas Airfield Wylye Valley Art Trail, until 27th May

19 Car Boot Sundays, Salisbury South Dorset Art Trail The Trussell Trust's Tour de Trussell cycle challenge, Salisbury

20 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage

21 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Poole Dream Machines

22 Old Harry Rocks Kayak Adventure, Swanage South Dorset Art Trail Larkhill Airfield Walk

23 Shindig Festival 2019, Bruton Mystic Heart Festival, Osho Leela Community,

24 Seashore Ramble, Brownsea Island Salisbury International Arts Festival 2019 until 9th June

25 Kayak, Fish, Forage & Feast, Studland Wildlife Week at Cheddar Gorge & Caves Tractor Ted Big Machines Weekend Calne

26 Baby Swans Hatching at Abbotsbury Swannery Live@ TheFarm 2019 River Bourne

27 Sherborne Castle Country Fair Wildlife Week at Cheddar Gorge & Caves

28 Family Trail, Mompesson House, Salisbury Poole Dream Machines Swanage Blues Festival

29 Brickosaurs - Marwell Zoo Spring Ranger Days, Brownsea Island Salisbury Pond Dipping and MiniRaft Building

30 Sherborne Blue Badge Guided Walks PAW Patrol's Chase & Rubble, Adventure Wonderland

31 Vintage Market, Salisbury South Dorset Art Trail Milkshake!

Live, Milkshake Monkey's Musical!

City Hall Salisbury

MAY

MONDAY

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Toddler Timetable Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9-10.30 Scarecrows Pre School 9-11.30 Messy Church Toddler 9-11 Leweston Pre-Prep, 9.30-11.30 Toddler Workshop, Shaftesbury Toddler Group Cheselbourne Group, Child Okeford Com Centre Parent & Toddler Group Vlillage school and Toddler Tunes Arts Centre 9.30-11.30 Little Rascals Durweston toddlerworkshop.co.uk 9.30-11 Tummies, Tiddlers and Village Hall 9.30-11.30 Marnhull Baby Toddlers, St George’s Primary & Toddlers, Marnhull Village 9.30-11 Stay & Play, 9-11.30 Stower Vale Baby & Toddlers, School, Bourton Hall Tisbury Children’s Stower Provost School Hall Centre 9.30-11 Sandroyd Pre Prep 9.30-11 Stay and Play at 9.30-11.30 Pimperne B&T Group, Parent and Toddler Group Ludwell Primary School 9.45-11.30 Tiddlers & Village Hall Toddlers, Lecture Hall, 9.30-11.30 Jigsaw Toddler 10-11 Time Together Castle Mere 9.30-11.30 Play and Learn, Mere Group, Sturminster Newton Cary Primary School Children’s Centre Methodist Church 9.30-11.30 Baby & 10am Munchkins at Toddlers, Child Okeford 9.30-11.30 Little Cherubs Group, St Buckhorn Weston Village 9.30 - 11 Mini Explorers, St Community Centre Mary's Catholic Sch, Marnhull Mary’s School Room, Gillingham Hall

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9.15-11.15 Bumps, Babes & Bigs Parent & Toddler Group, Okeford Fitzpaine Sch Hall 9.30-11 Sandroyd Pre Prep Swim & Play Baby, Toddler & Parent Session 9.30-11 Bishops Caundle Toddler Group, All Saints Primary School. TT 9.30-11.30 Jigsaw Toddler Group, Sturminster Newton Methodist Church

9.30-10.30 Bushy Tails Playtime, Clayesmore School. Emma and 9.30-11.30 Piddle Valley 10-12 Motcombe Toddlers, her Magic Bag. TT Tiddlers, First School, TT Motcombe Memorial Hall 10-11.30am Bright Beginnings, 9.30-11.30 Toddler Workshop 10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe Park 10.15-10.45 Library Gets Salisbury Cathedral School 10-11.30 Monkey Sport Centre Shaftesbury Arts Centre Lively, Gillingham Library Doodle, Wylye Village toddlerworkshop.co.uk 10-11.30 Friday Fun Cllub, 10-11 Messy Play, Youth Centre, Hall, Wylye 2-2.45 Tiny Tots Gymnastics, Whitesheet Academy, Zeals Sturminster Newton 9.45-10.30 Squirrels Sing & Tisbury Leisure Centre 10.15-10.45 Rhyme Dance, Hazlegrove Prep TT 10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe 10-11.30 Little Wrigglers Times, Gillingham Library 2.30-3 Rhyme-time, Park Sport Centre Congregational Church Stalbridge 10-11 Emma & The Magic Bag Shaftesbury Library 10-11.30 Toddler Time, Music, Shaftesbury Arts Centre 10-12 Evercreatures, Evercreech 10-12 North Barrow P& T Grp, Climb Aboard, West Village Hall Village Hall Stour 10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe Park Sport Centre

9.30-12 Bumps and Babes, Tisbury Children’s Centre

11.30-12.15 Pre-School Ballet, TLW Dance Shaftesbury

10-12 Toddler Group, Batcombe Jubilee Village Hall

Group, Fovant Rainbow Centre

10-12 Toddler Stay and play, Shaftesbury Child Centre

10.30-12 Sunny Hill Prep Toddler Group, Bruton

10-11.15 Knighton House School, Baby & Toddler Group

2-3.30 Squirrels P&T Group Hazlegrove TT

11.15-12 Minnows Water Play, St Marys Shaftesbury

2-3.30 Stay n Play, Community Kids Pre School, Bruton

10.30-11 Baby & Toddler Rhyme & Story Time, Wincanton Library

2.15-2.45 Rhyme Time, Warminster Library

10.30-11 Library Gets Lively, Sherborne Library

2-3 Bumps and Babies Mere Children’s Centre

11.30-12.20 Minnows Water Play, St Marys Shaftesbury

2.30-3 Story & Rhyme Time at Milborne Port Library

Library

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Blandford Dorchester Gillingham

10am-6.30pm 10am-5.30pm 10am-1pm

9.30am-5pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am-6.30pm

Closed 9.30am-1pm Closed

9.30am-6.30pm 9.30am-5.30pm 9.30am-5pm

9.30am-4pm 9am-4pm 9.30am-4pm

Mere Milborne Port

10am-7pm Closed

9.30am-1pm Closed

9.30am-5pm Closed

Shaftesbury

10am-5pm

9.30am-5pm 9.30am-1pm 2-5.30pm 9.30am-5pm

Closed

9.30am-6.30pm

Stalbridge

2-5pm

12am-12.30pm

3.30pm-6.30pm

Sherborne

10am-7pm

10am-12.30pm 2-5pm 9.30am-1.30pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am6.30pm 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-1pm 2-5.30pm 9.30am12.30pm 2-5pm

Closed

9.30am-7pm

Sturminster Newton Tisbury

9.30am-12.30pm

2-5pm

Closed

2-5pm 5.30-7.30pm 9.30-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

Closed

10am-1pm

9.30-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

9.30am-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

10am-6.30pm 10am-7pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am-5pm

Closed 9am-12.30pm

Wincanton Wimborne Warminster

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10-11 Music & Messy play Zeals Village Church 10-12 Caterpillars Parent & Toddler

9.30am5.30pm 9.30am-12.30pm 2-5pm 2-6.30pm Closed 2-5pm 5.30-7.30pm Closed 9.30am 1.30pm 2.30-5pm 9.30am-6.30pm 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am-5pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am12.30pm 9.30am-1pm 9.30am12.30pm 9.30am-4pm 9am-12.30pm Closed 9.30am-12pm 9.30am-4pm 9.30am-4pm

Show and Tell Who is the fairest in the land?

M

A guide to local live entertainment

irror Mirror is a new version of Snow White which will be playing at the Salisbury Arts Centre on the 16th March with two showings at 12.30pm and 3pm. wo of our favourite Spring shows for When a kind old lady offers Snow White a us to shine a light on are available juicy red apple, the girl is sorely tempted. On for the family to see at Lighthouse, the other hand, how does she know it’s not Poole’s centre for the arts. poisoned? She’s nearly been poisoned twice this The Boy and the Mermaid: A fishy tale week already, and it’s not pleasant. of musical merfolk, menacing monsters and This is the wonderfully wicked, age-old story spectacularly bad town planning with live of a vengeful queen, a magic mirror and a child music, puppetry, a rapping octopus and a as bright as the moonlit snow. Join Snow White shifting set of surprises for all the family. 9 on the night before her wedding and the whole March, Sherling Studio, 11am and 2pm. story – the cook, the maid, the seven dwarfs and www.hiddenneedstrust.org The Amazing Bubbleman: For more all - will be revealed. Suitable for age 5+ Supporting Special Educational Needs Children in Dorset & Somerset than 30 years Louis Pearl has been amazing Don't miss the free craft drop-in between audiences with his mastery of the art, shows too! wiltshirecreative.co.uk science, magic and sheer fun of bubbles. A must see... Saturday 20 April, Theatre, 2pm lighthousepoole.co.uk

Get J Well U S Soon T

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he Hidden Needs Trust Charity Concert T present a night of the Just Take That Tribute A hildren’s TV entertainer Dr. Ranj is Band, who have featured set to bringK his Teddy Bear Hospital on BBC with Graham to Brewery E Square, Dorchester, Norton. The band will take on Saturday, April 20 with two free you on a journey of Take performances at 11am and 1pm.

That's, Gary Barlow's and The fun and informative family Robbie Williams' biggest hits T performance is entertaining for parents and spanning 30 years. A must for children alike, as Dr.HRanj and his friends sing any Take That fan. The concert A educational live show. and dance during the will raise money for Special Two special guests T will be able to meet Dr. Educational Needs Children Ranj and friends after the first performance in Dorset and Somerset. by entering the competition on Brewery Monday March 18th 2019 at Square’s Facebook page. Children are 7.30pm at Octogan Theatre, encouraged to draw, paint or create a teddy Yeovil. Tickets £20! Why not bear and two winners will be chosen at purchase some tickets for random from entries. friends, family and colleagues?

Brewery Square will also be running its octagon-theatre.co.uk/ 7:30pm Tickets £20 annual Easter Egg Hunt across the Easter news/hidden-needs-trust weekend. 19-22 April. brewerysquare.com -charity-concert Book online: www.octagon-theatre.co.uk/

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Or Box Office: 01935 422884

Super Spring Shows

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T R I B U T ake a fantastic musical adventure with E

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an out-of-this-world car in this familyfriendly blockbuster that audiences will find 'Truly Scrumptious' B An eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts sets about restoring an old racing car from a scrap A heap with the help of his children, Jeremy and N Jemima. They soon discover the car has magical powers but trouble occurs D when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. The family joins forces with 'Truly Scrumptious' and batty Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher.

FMTC are thrilled to bring Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Frome Memorial Theatre, a highflying, fun-filled adventure for the entire family.

Showing from 7 to 12 May at Frome Memorial Theatre fmt.website

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Creative Creatures

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ear 7 pupils at Hazlegrove Prep School were set a challenge in their DT lessons of making a ride-on toy out of recycled materials for nursery children, to kindly donate to The Women's Refuge.

The pupils researched characters and vehicles for nursery age children and then created their initial designs in card. Once the designs had been road tested by the Hazlegrove nursery children, the Year 7 pupils set about making them by re-purposing old scaffolding

Marks

Village, primary, pre prep, private or state we want to know your school news, email: info@countrychild.co.uk

boards using power tools such as a jigsaw, sander and power-drills before finishing the toys off with a very creative coat of paint.

Mrs Barton, Head of DT at Hazlegrove said, 'They worked so hard at making sure the finish was perfect and added features they thought would appeal to the Nursery children. It was such a valuable experience for them to see their hard work bring such joy and fun to their ‘client’. This was such a great project and I am so incredibly proud of the end result and how hard the pupils have worked throughout the whole process. It was lovely to be able to donate the finished items to The Women's Refuge'.

MEET THE TEACHER Miss Chloe Gill Hindon Primary School, Salisbury, Wiltshire

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ow long have you been at the school? I started working at Hindon Primary School in July of 2018, so nearly 8 months now! hy did you decide to become a teacher? Whilst studying for a Contemporary Crafts degree at Falmouth University I met a wonderful lady who was running her own small ‘Zelda’ School. This school had its own unique philosophy which aims to help children learn through spending their time in the natural outside environment. The school was located on a farm within two lovely classroom yurts. It is from this meeting and from working with Zelda, her team and the lovely children at the school that I was immensely inspired to research education for my dissertation in my last year at University. From my research, I discovered the Reggio Emilia approach to educating children. From this, I began to develop my own values and ideas of a purposeful education for children which supports self – motivation, self – regulation and creativity, through exploration and interaction with nature. After studying for my PGCE I was granted the opportunity to visit the schools of the Reggio Emilia area in Italy and train alongside their teachers. hat do you find most rewarding about teaching? Being able to be a part of my pupils Learning Journey and to observe their passions, curiosity and creativity ignite through hands on, discovery play. I find it very exciting to support learning through projects that are composed from the children’s own interests, allowing them to take ownership of their learning and nurturing their resilience, confidence and enthusiasm for learning. When I observe pupils in my Reception class, thinking inquisitively; engaging with a task; taking a risk and then reflecting on their skill, it is incredibly rewarding. hat are your own hobbies and interests? From my Contemporary Crafts degree I have acquired a deep passion for pottery, woodwork and all things crafty! which I am able to share with the children at my school. I am very lucky that I teach at a school which supports learning through a Creative Curriculum. Most of all I love new adventures and finding undiscovered and empty beaches! hat do you bring to the school and into the future? The Reggio Emilia approach is based on the theory that every child has an innate curiosity and is viewed as a capable, creative learner. My role as

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their teacher is to support these qualities by planning captivating and thought provoking activities based on the children’s own interests. From this, I can create a meaningful and creative learning environment for each individual child. Hindon Primary School supports teachers to provide a creative and holistic approach to education and the school has an idyllic outside learning environment which is something that I truly value. In the future, I aim to continue to develop the schools Forest School to enhance the outside learning environment and use my creative and artistic skills to enrich and enhance the schools creative curriculum.

FUN FACTS: What is your favourite

….

...Food? The delicious ‘Cinnamon Buns ’ that one of my teacher colleagues bakes at home and brings to the Staffroom to share! ...Animal? An Arctic fox has always been my favourite animal since I was a little girl. When I was five I believed I had seen one on the farm next to my house! Even though I know now it was probably a very elegant sheep, they’ re still my favourite. ...Colour? Anything pastel coloured, but

mainly pastel yellow.

...Book? Matilda by Roald Dahl is my alltime favourite!- The basis of the story is that even if you are smaller or younger, if you set your mind to something, you can achieve anything! – this message has staye d with me throughout the whole of my own education and beyo nd. ...Movie? ‘Project Wild Thing’ - by Davi d Bond and The Wild Network. These movies first sparked my passion for advocating supporting learning through nature and all things outdoors. ...Music? Anything folky - Johnny Flynn is the

moment!

winner at the

The Future of Football

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ilton Abbey School is working with the Champion Sports Group to offer an Elite Football Programme to talented young footballers from Dorset, the UK and across the world.

In a scheme that is believed to be the first of its kind, the independent school in Milton Abbas near Blandford has partnered with a Dorset-based sports academy that has already signed more than 90 young people to professional and international teams.

The school’s Director of Sports Ben Lawes said: “If selected for the programme, talented young players will receive the best levels of football training and access to our sports courses, combined with a personalised approach to their wider education and the chance to play and train up to six times a week."

In the collaboration with Champion Sports Group – who already coach more than 1,000 young people at a variety of levels across the South Coast – the school will also host a professional football academy led by FA-accredited coaches during evenings and weekends.

Footballers at the school will be able to join this academy, while other

Golden Acorns

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he Golden Acorns Preschool opened its doors at Chilmark Fonthill Bishop CofE Primary School in Wiltshire for the very first time in Autumn 2018. A variety of sessions to meet family needs are offered including both Breakfast and After School Clubs. Children aged from 2yrs are invited from 7.30am to 6pm. To enquire contact:  01722 716348.

talented youngsters who don’t attend the school will benefit from access to the exceptional pitches and other facilities offered at Milton Abbey.

As part of the arrangement, local young people who have been selected for Champion’s first full-time professional development team have already played matches at the school and have taken part in joint lessons with Milton Abbey students.

Managing Director of Champion Sports Group, Dan Neville, said: “We are really pleased to be working with such a prestigious partner on this new initiative. We feel the football programme will be one of the leading sports offerings not just in the UK, but abroad as well.

The Elite Football Programme look for talented footballers aged from 13 to 16 when joining the school.

The scheme is also being promoted at international youth tournaments in Puerto Rico and Spain, where Champion Academy teams are playing.

Milton Abbey School has an excellent reputation for its football facilities. During holidays when pupils are away, it hosts residential courses for adults who are studying for their FA Football Coaching qualifications.

The school is also used for residential summer schools and pre-season training

by Premier League and international teams. For more information check out: miltonabbey.co.uk/football

Dance Debut

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t Mary’s Shaftesbury pupil, Isabelle Evans, 18, joins the cast dancing in the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’, which is opening in May 2019. Isabelle auditioned alongside 1000 young dancers currently in training aged between 16 and 19. She successfully joins six young cast members (97 in total), alongside the New Adventures company, at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton next year.

Isabelle is one of St Mary’s Shaftesbury’s Elite Dance Scholars combining her academic education alongside dance training at TLW Dance, which offers dance provision for all pupils at St Mary’s.

Free Boarding?

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ll Hallows Preparatory School has launched a new creative scholarship initiative for 2019. Creative scholarships with free boarding are available and open to all and will be awarded on an individual merit basis. All children with any creative flair are fully encouraged to apply.

Creativity is championed at The Creative Centre offering “to encourage children to take a creative approach to all that they do, aiming to foster diversity, critical thinking, imaginative insights and fresh ideas through to ensuring children are in touch with things that inspire and excite them. Pupils are encouraged to express themselves; to collaborate, to exchange ideas and build collective solutions to complex problems.”

All Hallows school were thrilled to have been shortlisted for the 2019 TES Independent School Awards for Creativity, the only school in the South West to have received this nomination. The school deliver an approach where creativity is embedded within the curriculum, producing quite outstanding results. Not only in terms of the number of scholarships and awards gained on entry to senior schools but also in the more ethereal outcomes of schooling such as long-term well-being, a sense of self, a degree of resilience, preparation for some aspects of work and an appreciation for philosophy, culture, creativity and civilisation. Maya Angelou’s words sum up the All Hallows' cross-curricular approach beautifully “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”. Scholarships are open now for September 2019.

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Tutoring Times Photography: Millie Pilkington

More than a quarter of pupils nationwide have received private tuition at some time, and 1 in 10 teachers have supplemented their income by offering private tuition. But why are more parents turning to tutors to supplement their children’s education? Hannah Woolven looks at the benefits and the drawbacks of the trend.

T We are celebrating Independent Pre-Prep of the Year Shortlisted for the TES Creativity Award

A Co-educational Diamond Model School Daily buses across Dorset and Somerset

Open Doors every half term To book call 01963 211015 or email

admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk NURSERY

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PREP

SENIOR

SIXTH FORM

oday, more than ever, we are living in a qualificationsbased job market. Gone are the days when it was enough to cart a portfolio around London knocking on architectural firms doors and land yourself a job (as my father did in the ‘70s). Now it feels like we’re all competing for the best results to get to the best university to get the best degree to land even the most average of jobs. The pressure works its way all the way back to primary school: it seems like everyone wants to be top of the class. Indeed, some tutoring is available for children as young as two years old.

With more pressure than ever for children to succeed young, some parents are even finding it necessary to engage tutoring for Key Stage 2 SATS at primary school – exams that are supposed to measure the success of the school, but somehow seem to have morphed into a measurement for the child as they go into secondary school.

SATS seem to be approached very differently in different primary schools. In some primaries the children seem to barely know they’ve done them; in others they are offered booster classes, coached on exam technique, and bribed with sweets and chocolates. Why? Well, the SATS results are put into the league tables and also impact the Ofsted rating, which many parents use to determine how “good” the school is. They can also impact the amount of “support” the school gets from the local authority. All this places a lot of pressure on the staff for the children to do well.

Then of course there are selective schools, where children may need to take the 11+ or undergo private school entry examinations to get in to their school of choice. Not to mention GCSEs and A Levels…

As for parents, we take our lead from the pressure that is put on by the school and other parents. Some of us respond by rebelling against the system, telling our children “not to worry, the exams are not really important, they don’t measure the true value of you”; others of us respond by asking our children to work harder, perhaps offering rewards of our own or reminding our children that their next step in life will depend on their results now; and members of both these groups may well look to tutoring as a means of support.

As is the case for all exams, there is some preparation needed simply for exam technique. Exams tend to be written in such a way that a child who hasn’t done any practice will struggle. The actual process of taking an exam can be a source of anxiety in itself, and many children struggle with exam techniques – such as answering questions they feel confident on first, then going back and tackling the harder ones; allocating planning, writing and checking time;

using any time at the end to read through all the questions and answers making sure no errors have slipped in, or seeing if an extra point could be added in now the brain has had time to mull it over in the background. All this takes practice, and not all schools may have the time to work on these techniques, which extra tuition could focus on.

But not all tuition is about passing exams. Gifted pupils benefit from extra tuition, and many gifted children thrive when they are following their interest at a deep level of study, which school is not always able to provide in what is inevitably a mixed ability class.

But also children who perhaps lack in confidence in particular subject can often build confidence when they are out of the classroom, working one to one or in a very small group.

My own daughter is passionate about creative writing. She asked me for tuition so she could improve and learn more. She is not doing this for any reason other than her own enjoyment, but I have seen her confidence improve in other areas even with only one hour a fortnight with her tutor. Interestingly, she then asked her tutor if she could spend ten minutes at the end of each session working on Maths, which she is not gifted at but is working at a level above average according to her schoolteacher – but she herself feels lacking in confidence in Maths and wants to improve. I guess, whatever it takes for our kids to thrive, right?

But what about those who can’t afford a tutor? In May 2007 the government announced they would fund 10 hours of extra tuition for the bottom 5% of pupils. But in 2010, this funding ended with budget cuts. At a price of £20-30 per hour for tuition up to age 14, and then upwards of £30 thereafter (the average rate for A Level tuition is £36 an hour), the cost soon racks up.

There are other options. On a parenting forum one mother suggested: “why can’t parents sit down and help their own children?” Well, sometimes this isn’t an option – parents may not have the skills or may be out of date on methods being taught today. And sometimes, let’s face it, our children simply don’t want to be taught by us. For many just getting school homework done is enough of a battle, without trying to go the extra mile and do extra study. But for some, simply setting aside that hour or two a week to study with their child may well be an option, and will be more affordable than paying someone else to do the job.

It is always worth checking in with the schoolteacher, too. Either for help in how to help your child (or indeed, whether the teacher feels that extra help is needed); or perhaps asking whether they would be willing to spend a little extra time with your child. Some schools offer a tutoring or homework club at school for those who could do with extra support at either end of the scale.

Charity grants may be available but finding them, let alone qualifying for them, is very tricky. If you would like to engage a tutor but are struggling financially you might like to look into the charity Turn2us turn2us.org.uk – a website that helps people navigate which grants and benefits they may be entitled to.

Another idea is group tuition. One organisation offering this is Kumon: “the UK’s largest supplementary education provider, offering individualised maths and English programmes to help any child of any ability to progress and reach their potential.”

With classes across the counties, Kumon purportedly focuses on self-learning, with students visiting their Kumon centre twice a week for around 30 minutes per subject or as long as is needed to complete their work for that day.

Kumon fees vary; initial registration and the monthly single subject fee are around £30 and £60 per child, respectively, making it slightly more affordable than weekly private home tuition.

However, many Kumon Instructors accept child care vouchers and pupil premium payment which can help meet the fees.

I couldn’t help but notice as I scrolled through the website, that “Kumon students are supported to reach a level of study beyond the international standard for their age.” This made me wonder: are we putting our children on a treadmill to attempt the impossible? At this rate the international standard (for the middle classes, at least, who can afford the classes), will be continually rising – pressurising children to attain ever higher standards. With mental health problems affecting 1 in 10 young people, perhaps we also need to remember that kids need time to play and relax, and even just be bored, too. Sometimes, what kids need is to have a run about in the fresh air, or just sit down listening to their favourite song, or even, do nothing at all. Sometimes, our kids won’t perform brilliantly in an exam. Sometimes they will experience disappointment and regret. And that’s ok, too.

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Promotional Feature

Four Seasons Giveaway

WIN

WIN a luxury meal at Wild Carrot and swimming experience at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire’s Sharkie’s Reef

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pring has sprung at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire and whether you’re visiting for an overnight stay, relaxing spa day or delicious meal at the hotel restaurant Wild Carrot, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained this season.

For younger (and those just young at heart) guests, the Hotel's new Sharkie’s Reef, a fun packed family adventure pool, features designs by Disney and Warner Brothers sculptor Justin Pook. Justin's impressive portfolio includes work on sets for blockbuster hits such as Christopher Robin, Beauty and the Beast and Puss in Boots. Justin's creative sculptures have helped transform the pool into a water wonderland with a four metre slide, a rotating umbrella fountain and bubble jets.

These new family offerings add to the Hotel’s already impressive range of recreational activities; active children can be kept busy with a rolling itinerary of tennis lessons, horses riding across the Hotel’s 500 acres of stunning parkland, the Highwire Adventure – the ultimate tree-top challenge - and cycling. Meanwhile, those of a more relaxed disposition can be occupied with some classic British pastimes including croquet, falconry, fishing and clay pigeon shooting. Carra Baker the Equestrian Manager, Jon Bond the Angling Instructor, and Simon Wilson the Falconer all delight in disclosing stories to guests about their horses, their fish and their birds, all of which are found on and around the Estate. For smaller tots, the Kids for All Seasons club is open throughout the school holidays, offering crafts, games and a variety of fun events, while teens can enjoy the Games Room, featuring a range of table games such as football and air hockey, as well as video games and films.

The dining experience is with the Wild Carrot restaurant, named after the dainty white wildflower that grows plentifully in the fields of Dogmersfield Park, nestled within 500 acres of stunning countryside. Wild Carrot Restaurant and Bar welcomes you to try delicious British classics with a contemporary twist, made only with the finest seasonal produce found in Hampshire markets and further afield.

Each week Wild Carrot is also proud to host a range of events for every taste, including Friday Night Live Music from 6.30pm. Enjoy soothing live jazz every Friday evening at The Bar and welcome the weekend in style. Savour delicious cocktails and enjoy a selection of bites and snacks while listening to some favourite local musicians.

Roll out of bed and go and try the Brunch menu, served every Saturday between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Choose from a selection of traditional plates, such as Eggs Benedict, Bircher Muesli or Clotted Cream French Toast, or dishes with a difference; such as the Cornish Crab Omelette, Spinach Pancakes or the decadent Oreo Waffle, and enjoy with one of the Saturday Cocktails, exclusively created to go alongside the Brunch dishes.

The Sunday buffet-style market lunch can also be experienced by the entire family! £65 per adult, including a glass of champagne and £22 per child, ages 5 – 11 and Children under 4 dine with the hotel's compliments. Every Sunday 12.30pm -3.30pm To stay up to date with the hotel's upcoming events for Easter, Mother’s Day and more follow @FSHampshire @WildCarrotHampshire on Instagram or visit: fourseasons.com/hampshire

For your chance to win a delicious three course meal at Wild Carrot for your family, along with a complimentary pass at Sharkie’s Reef, simply answer: What is the name of the new children’s adventure pool at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire?

T&C"s Email: info@countrychild.co.uk. Prize available Monday - Thursday, meal includes three courses with a bottle of wine chosen by the sommelier. Valid until 31st August 2019.

BOOKWORMS

All Hallows School, Somerset

five children in the children’s ward they are: Tom, Sally, Amber, George and Robin. They all love Porter who was dumped at the door of the hospital when he was a baby and had lived there ever since. The Midnight Gang’s objective is to make kids dreams come true.

Olivia Pike, 10

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raditional yet innovative, All Hallows is nestled in the heart of the Somerset countryside, mid-way between Bath, Frome and Bruton.

With educationalist and child psychologist, Dr Trevor Richards at the helm, the school is approaching education in a distinctive and creative way in the firm belief that wellbeing and academic achievement go handin-hand. It is an approach which is producing outstanding results, both in terms of the impressive list of scholarships gained by Year 8 pupils and in how well the children are settling into their senior schools and thriving.

Outstanding opportunities lie outside the classroom including outdoor learning in a nineacre Forest School, which pays dividends, not just in academic performance by boosting pupils’ concentration levels and confidence, but also in bolstering wellbeing.

All Hallows School, Cranmore hall, East Cranmore, Somerset BA4 4SF 01749 881609 admissions@allhallowsschool. co.uk

The World’s Worst Children David Walliams I liked the book because it was disgusting and gross, but also a bit cheesy and funny. The book has lots of different chapters which are about disgusting children and the pranks they play. You will meet Hank the Prank and Honey the Hogger.

Read more to find out what they do!

It is a brilliant book for 8 to 9 year olds. I give it 5/5.

Seb Rees, 9 The Midnight Gang David Walliams ‘The Midnight Gang’ is one of the best books ever! It was written by David Walliams. ‘The Midnight Gang’ is set in a hospital. There are

Mother Knows Best (Disney’s Twisted Tales) Serena Valentino I had seen the movie ‘Tangled’ and I really enjoyed it when I was little. I enjoyed this book because it tells the story of Mother Gothel and her point of view of Tangled. My favourite character is Gothel’s mother who is an evil witch who turns the dead from the Dead Forest into zombies that destroy the town. Gothel has two sisters, Primrose and Hazel, who disagree with her mother being evil…unlike Gothel.

Minnie Callow, 9 The Ice Monster David Walliams ‘The Ice Monster’ is one of my favourite books because it has a lot of exciting action and there are some great characters. My favourite character is Elsie because she is very funny, and her jokes are just so funny you can’t stop laughing. The ice monster is very clever because whenever he spots danger, he backs away into the darkness not to get hurt.

Jake French ,10 ‘Wave Me Goodbye’ Jacqueline Wilson.

10 year-old Shirley is woken up by her mother who is frantically telling her to pack her suitcase without mentioning why. It’s not until they reach the train station that Shirley is told what was happening: her mother is staying home to help with the war effort (WW2) but Shirley has to stay in the country until the war’s over. As Shirley sets out for her new life in the country, you experience the tremendous adventures she has. I strongly recommend this book to people who like a bit of adventure and drama.

Frances Ingram, 9

Wonder R Palacio

‘Wonder’ is a book about a boy called August who has a very unusual face.

He has never been to school until 5th Grade because of his rare disability. In the summer holidays he meets the Principal and three other students for a tour of the school. This is a story told from many perspectives about August’s experiences at school and at home, sometimes humorous and sometimes upsetting. Perfect for 10 and upwards if you like variety within a story.

Elsie Reilley, 11 Murder Most Unladylike Robin Stevens When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong find the science mistress, Miss Bell, dead on the gym floor, the Detective Society gets going again.

With case notes, interviews, romance and secrets, this book becomes very exciting!

Robin Stevens can make you feel as if you’re there. This book is so gripping that you will be hanging on the edge of your seat. Anyone aged 8 and over would enjoy this book.

Eliza Stevenson, 11 The House of Tusk R.J. Luck ‘The House of Tusk’ is a remarkably well-written book fantasy/mythological novel with many unexpected twists and turns, which has vastly broadened my vocabulary. I read this book when I was 12 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the characters as they are all so humorous and quirky, villain or hero; all the characters have unmistakeable personalities. This book has no age limit and it is definitely the best book I’ve ever read.

Georgia Dalgliesh, 12 Ready Player One Ernest Cline ‘Ready Player One’ is set in a dystopian Ohio with the protagonist Wade Watts. In this world, the only place to escape is the Oasis, a virtual reality platform.

In the beginning, James Halliday, creator of the Oasis, died without

leaving an heir. So the ‘Egg Hunt’ began to find the three keys to the three gates, leading to the Oasis. The victor not only gains James Halliday’s inheritance, but also control to The Egg. Recommended for 13+.

Cas Bullough, 13 Murder in Midwinter Fleur Hitchcock A 13-year-old girl called Maya must move from her flat in London to her Auntie’s house in the welsh countryside.

She has no choice, for the criminal Peter Romeo is coming for her. She goes on an adventure, through deep snow, saving animals from the weather while in serious hiding. I like this book because Maya must change from a city girl to a country girl to cope with the deadly chaos going on around her.

Poppy Clothier, 9 Northern Lights Philip Pullman Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, live a wild and unruly life among the scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. But all that changes with the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel. Unwittingly thrust into the heart of a terrible struggle – one of kidnapped children, fearsome experimentation and extraordinary rebellion – Lyra will draw on all her fierce resourcefulness not only to survive but fight.

I think this book is for 8+ because it is a bit violent but fun. I don’t have a favourite character, but if I did I would probably say Kaisa, a good witch’s deamon. I like Kaisa the most because she can do magic and is very nice. I think that out of 1 to 10 I would give it 11!

Ruby Torday, 9

Be A Bookworm This page provides an opportunity for local schools to promote themselves through their pupils' book reviews. If you would like us to feature your school, please email info@countrychild.co.uk for further details.

29

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Second Hand Success Miranda asks us to think twice when it comes to buying cheap clothing, here's the thought provoking reason why....

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hen we stop to think about the key contributors to climate change, things like deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels and intensive farming are likely to feature high up on most of our lists. But, what about ‘Fast Fashion’ – would that make it into your Top Ten? According to Wikipedia, Fast Fashion is the buzzword given to “inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass market retailers in response to the latest trends,” and it’s having a hugely detrimental effect on our climate. The availability of new and cheap clothing means that people are purchasing outfits, for themselves or their children, with the sole intention of them being worn just a couple of times. The consequence? 11 million items of clothing are sent to landfill each week in the UK alone! Just last Christmas, £3.5bn was spent on party clothing, “with 8million of those sparkly items being sent to landfill after just one wear.” What’s more, according to findings by the Circular Fibres Initiative, these clothes are almost entirely non-recyclable, “Less than 1% of the material used to produce clothing globally is recycled into new clothing.”

It’s perhaps not surprising then to learn that Fast Fashion is contributing more to climate change than air and sea travel combined.

A grim picture indeed. But we can all be doing something to make a difference.

Here are a few simple suggestions: ▶ Take your clothes to a Clothes Bank: The Salvation Army alone has over 5000 clothing banks in the UK. Often situated next to the village or town hall, over half of the clothes collected in these banks are sent abroad to help less fortunate people. To find your nearest clothing and textiles recycling facility, take a look here; recyclenow.com ▶ Donate to charity: Taking your unwanted clothes to your local charity shop is a win-win; you are helping a good cause and reuse is even better than recycling. The website charityretail.org. uk has some great advice and tips to help you on your way. ▶ Swap: Why not hold an evening event with friends; each of you bringing along items of clothing you’d be happy to swap.

It could be things your children have grown out of, or simply items you no longer wear. loveyourclothes.org.uk can help you to get a clothes-swapping event up and running. ▶ Buy Second hand: Consider buying quality second hand goods as opposed to cheaper, mass produced items. These quality items will last longer, hold their shape longer and be fit for wear by others after you no longer need them. Our children are growing so fast, it makes so much sense to buy their clothes from a quality second-hand retailer.

Gumtree, Ebay, Preloved, NCT, Little

Pickles, Little Monsters and Facebook Marketplace are all good online options to get you started. ▶ Get your school involved: Encourage your school to get involved in recycling unwanted clothes. The scheme recyclewithmichael.co.uk in conjunction with the Salvation Army, is encouraging primary school aged children to bring unwanted clothes to school and fill up as many bags as possible before the end of March 2019. Other initiatives such as bags2school.com have been “helping schools for over 15 years and in the process paid out over £32 million to PTAs and Friends of School Groups.”

It’s steps such as these that can really make a difference to our wardrobes and our world, especially if we all commit to do our bit! Here’s to a year of secondhand shopping and swapping!

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 Homesense Dog Lamp £39.99 homesense.com  Dog Bookends £25 tch.net

 Flamingo Linen Dog Pillow Bed with Pompoms £79.50 annabeljames.co.uk  Voyage Maison Brown Dog Wooden Decorative Wall Head £85 hurnandhurn. com

 Laura Ashley Dogs On Parade Set of 4 Corkback Coasters £8 lauraashley.com  Wagging Tail Dog Clock in Spaniel £40 cuckooland.com

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Pewsey, Wiltshire £699,950

An extended and refurbished 1950's family home with so many unique features. The house is just on the outskirts of the town, giving all the benefits of local amenities yet an individual location amongst fields and countryside. With impressive master bedroom, dressing room and four piece ensuite adding to the cinema, outside courtyard, barn with studio and walled garden - making this a rare home not to be missed.

Shaftesbury, Dorset £625,000 A transformed property with stunning, stylish, efficient and comfortable facilities, showcasing today's indoor / outdoor living! The redesign, renovation and extension was undertaken with a collaboration between interior architect Jane-Claire Angell and local builder Steve Wattridge whereas the kitchen is bespoke and hand painted by Shaftesbury's own J D Kitchens Ltd. A must see!

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Castle Cary, Somerset £545,000

Ringwood, Hampshire £500,000

A beautifully restored handsome period townhouse in Castle Cary. Sitting in an elevated position on South Street and built from local Blue Lias and Cary Stone this home was once the abode of a local Cheddar magnate.

Originally three separate properties, this family home has plenty of flexible accommodation and manages to offer five bedrooms, making it a fabulous option for families to consider. lodestoneproperty.co.uk

Situated conveniently for local schools this detached four/five bedroom house offers scope to extend, subject to any consents required and sits on a generous corner plot with double garage, outbuildings and plenty of off road parking. Close to the town and schools in the heart of the town, this is the perfect home for a growing family.

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Food

GLORIOUS

Foraging is for life!

WIN

F

rom Darwin to David Attenborough, many naturalists built their careers on a curiosity which began in early childhood. However, in this digital age our children can all too easily become isolated from meaningful contact with both the natural world and the people around them. Foraging for wild food can help refocus them and a day gathering edible plants, picked in the wild, can be a great way to reconnect with family and nature.

With clear information, instructions and illustrations, this new book Family Foraging by David Hamilton released this Spring looks at 30 edible plants commonly found in our parks, woodlands and hedgerows. It shows you how to identify them safely and gather them to make delicious recipes that are easy to create and tempting and nutritious for young children.

The plants are organized by season and there are scrumptious things to make throughout the year including puffball kebabs, sea beet huff-apuffs, staghorn sumac lemonade, sweet potato & chestnut burgers, and hazelnut chocolate spread. Once you’ve caught the foraging bug, you’ll soon be looking for chestnuts to roast, hazelnuts to crack, or the best wild apple trees.

Country Child have three copies to giveaway so get your entry in to us for your chance to win and get your family foraging.

Food Three Book Copies to give to Country Child readers!

Simply email the answer to the question below:

Who is considered the very first naturalist?

Email info@countrychild.co.uk with your name and full address details by the 15th April. Winner will be drawn at random. Editor's decision is final.

Jumping Jack Wraps

M

ustard Leaves make a great resource in the kitchen, David says: "Pick the leaves before they flower. They have a garlic- and mustard-like taste and can be used in salads, in pesto, or used to flavour soups and stews.

The immature flowers can be cooked like broccoli (they are more bitter), and the roots can be used like horseradish. Here we have an exclusive sneak preview of one of David Hamilton's recipe to share from his new book above.

Ingredients ▶ 20–30 garlic mustard leaves (from first-year plant/before it has flowered) ▶ 100 g / 3.5 oz / 0.5 cup couscous 185 ml / 6 fl oz / 3/4 cup vegetable stock ▶ Handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped ▶ 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped ▶ 1 tablespoon raisins ▶ 1 tablespoon pine nuts ▶ 1 tablespoon lemon juice

B

lanch the garlic mustard leaves in a pan of boiling water for 3–4 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon, then dunk in cold water and pat each Photograph by David Ingram one dry with kitchen/paper towel.

In a large bowl, cover the couscous with the freshly boiled stock. Cover the bowl with a plate and leave for 5–6 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed, then fluff the couscous with a spoon.

Stir in the herbs, followed by the remaining ingredients. Place a teaspoon-sized amount of the mixture in the centre of each leaf. Fold the sides in and roll like a burrito. Serve as a side/snack. Published by White Lion. £16.99 from amazon.co.uk

J

ack's Pantry is a brand-new online food market, dedicated to offering allergy-free baby food for busy families. Jack’s Pantry aims to take the stress out of label-reading for parents who have babies, toddlers and young children with food allergies.

This homegrown start-up was founded in 2018 by Claire McAvoy – Mum to Jack who suffers from multiple food allergies. After first-hand experience of staring at labels in supermarket aisles and constant research of whether certain foods were safe for Jack, she thought enough was enough and set out to source 100% allergy safe products from a myriad of brands around the globe. The result, a simple to use online marketplace where parents can filter by allergen, immediately seeing all the relevant meals, snacks and foods and then head through a simple checkout.

Claire says "Being a parent is challenging enough without having to scour supermarket shelves!" jackspantry.com

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The Great Outdoors

A

ccording to the late, great Robin Williams “Spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party”, so what better way to honour both the man and this most uplifting season than by persuading your nearest and dearest to join you outside for a botanical fiesta. As the days continue to lengthen and frosts become yesterday’s news, spring marks the time when the natural world is finally able to break free of its wintery shackles in order to re-enact the age-old traditions of mating and pollinating.

Many outdoor folk will have their own personal signposts each year to remind themselves that spring has indeed sprung.

For birders, it might be the sound of the first Chiffchaff endlessly repeating its name or a male Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming out a territory, while mammal enthusiasts will be on the lookout for Badgers in car headlights or bats flitting at dusk.

However, for those with a passion for flora, there are signs of spring everywhere you care to look. With this in mind, Country Child would like you to unleash your inner botanist, by setting you the challenge of catching up with six iconic spring flowers before summer arrives to rob us of their presence for another year.

Daffodil

Daffodils surely brighten up the dullest spring days when forming ‘hosts’ along roadsides or in parks throughout March and April. But be warned, many of these ‘blousy’ blooms are little more than cultivated imposters that have either been planted or hopped over the garden wall. The key to identifying the real McCoy is to look for narrow grey-green leaves and a two-tone flower - where the darker yellow trumpet is surrounded by pale yellow petals. Only when you’ve ticked all these botanical boxes can you finally permit yourself a complacent, smug grin!

Lesser Celandine

One of the first heralds of spring, Lesser Celandines produce a welcome splash of yellow on clear, cold days from late February along our woodland edges, hedgerows and waysides.

Frequently growing in large mats, as celandines are patently sociable by nature, their bright and perky blooms track the spring sun across the sky, like miniature satellite dishes. The flowers also seem to float on the surface of a green sea of kidney-shaped leaves, which additionally provide valuable winter grazing for hungry Woodpigeons.

Cowslip

Recognisable by a rosette of crinkly leaves, radiating out from a long-stalked cluster of egg-yolk coloured flowers, the Cowslip was once abundant in meadows right across the

Mike sets the challenge of catching some fantastic floral favourites for spring.... country. Like many of our wild flowers, Cowslips became decimated in the second half of the 20th century as a result of modern farming practices. However, the plant has recently been offered a glimmer of hope from an unlikely quarter, as roadside verges now tend to trump meadows as the best location to catch this classic spring bloom. And don’t knock botanising (safely) from a lay-by, until you’ve tried it OK?!

Bluebell

Sheets of Bluebells ‘wash wet like lakes’ below a canopy of opening leaves is not just one of our great botanical spectacles, but surely the quintessence of spring itself. To see this species in such profusion is a uniquely British phenomenon, but also one that is under threat. Our ‘national flower’ is unfortunately under attack from an Iberian invader, the Spanish Bluebell, which not only escaped from our gardens, but also had the audacity to begin hybridising with our native species - resulting in the production of a pale imitation. Fortunately enough, unpolluted woodlands within the our region survive intact for a classic bluebell walk to be still considered the highlight of many folks’ year.

Cuckooflower

While Cuckooflower is the ‘approved’ name, many also call this pale pink member of the cabbage family Lady’s-smock, as the form and colour of each flower brings to mind (with a little imagination) a fancy frock or ball-gown. Still common and widespread in damp grasslands and along roadsides, ditches and riverbanks, the name Cuckooflower derives from the plant supposedly flowering at a similar time to when our first Cuckoos return from the African Congo. However, with data suggesting that the plant usually flowers from around the third week of April, this pre-dates the Cuckoos’ arrival by at least a week.

Wood Anemone

A woodland walk will always be brightened by chancing upon a colony of Wood Anemones taking in the sun’s weak spring rays. Frequently at its best before the canopy’s leaves have fully unfurled, this plant’s mission is to complete its cycle before being totally cast into the shade. The graceful white flowers are dotted in amongst a bed of heavily divided leaves, but despite their sharp, musky smell - which is presumably to attract pollinators - the set-seed rarely seems fertile. As the resultant sterility reduces the plant’s reproductive options to little more than extending its root structure, this means the only way this classic woodland speciality can conquer new lands is by creeping at a snail’s pace across the forest floor.

Mike Dilger is a Naturalist, Writer and Presenter, perhaps best known as the Wild Man from The One Show. Despite having travelled the world, he is every bit as passionate about the wildlife on his doorstep in the Chew Valley.

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Going Further

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Untitled-1 1

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The Worry Wart The Sunflower Trust is a leading national charity that offers a health & wellbeing programme for families all over the UK. Here they talk to Country Child about how to help overcome your child's anxiety.

D

oes your child worry too much? It’s a common concern for parents these days. In fact, Public Health England says anxiety is one of the most common causes of child psychiatric disorders.

Anxiety is a little demon that can strike children in many different disguises – from tummy aches, headaches and sleep problems to eating issues, low self-esteem and even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Children’s health and wellbeing charity the Sunflower Trust says it is receiving an increasing number of calls from parents of anxious children who are struggling to cope with the demands of modern life.

Sunflower chief executive, Nichola Atkinson says: “Parents are calling us because they have nowhere else to turn. We can often spend up to an hour listening to a family’s situation and understanding the challenges that they face. Many are unaware of where to go for help and are at the end of their tether.”

Government figures state nearly 40,000 children in the UK suffer with anxiety – and they are just the ones we know about. Sunflower’s child health experts have put together some practical tips and advice for families dealing with anxiety issues…

Help your child understand what the worries do to their body.

Anxiety causes physical symptoms such as tummy aches or headaches.

The child will then worry about having a tummy ache…and so gets stuck in a vicious circle. By helping your child recognise what the anxiety is doing to their body, you allow them to feel less frightened by these symptoms. Say things like: “That could be your worry tummy – shall we do some relaxing to make it go away?”

▶ Five steps to calm

1. Try Sunflower’s proven techniques to help your child to feel better at times of stress: 2. Uninterrupted breathing – encourage your child to spend a few moments concentrating on their breathing. This will calm their body down and also serve as a distraction.

3. Positive face – ask your child to do a silly smile; it’s definitely much harder to feel angry or stressed when you are smiling.

Balanced posture – stand up tall together, releasing tension and helping the blood flow.

4. Release muscle tension – help your child to feel more relaxed by concentrating on thinking about something calm and enjoyable.

5. Mental control – encourage some positive thoughts and help your child to feel in control by asking: “What could you do to make yourself feel better?”

▶ Lead by example

Sunflower practitioner, Sheree McGregor explains: “If you notice your child being anxious, stop and look at your own behaviour as often young children will mimic the adults around them. Children are babies for a long time and are great observers of their parents.

Show yourself being happy and they will copy that too.”

▶ Worry box/worry time

If worries are taking over normal life, allocate a set time to sit down with your child and go through their worries – by doing this you can also allocate places and times where worries have to stay away (the bedroom/bedtime). If anxiety rears its ugly head at bedtime, get your child to write worries down and pop them in a worry box to be dealt with later. This process helps them to learn how to take control of their feelings and to not let the worries get out of control.

▶ Acknowledge the worries

All worries are legitimate so reassure your child that it is perfectly normal to feel worried. It’s no good telling someone ‘don’t worry about it’. Instead, say things like: ‘yes I can understand why you feel worried about that’ or ‘it’s okay to feel worried, now let’s see what you can do to make sure that worry doesn’t get too big’.

▶ Stopping the worries from getting too big

Work through the facts; if they are worried about not having anyone to play with at school, ask them to name all the kind children in their class that they could join in with. Also encourage them to draw on past experiences – ‘remember when you were worried about going to that birthday party and then you had a lovely time’.

▶ Put your child in control

Of course, as parents we naturally want to make everything better for our children. Try to resist this temptation and instead encourage them to find their own solutions.

For some children, anxiety can become more severe, affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence. They may become withdrawn and go to great lengths to avoid things or situations that make them feel anxious. If your child is unable to cope with their anxiety, or you feel they are just not getting the best out of their life, the Sunflower Programme can help and has practitioners in on the South of England.

To find out your local practioner visit: sunflowertrust.com

39

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS Westover Hyundai is pleased to announce that almost £2,000 was raised for the annual fundraising campaign Stand Up To Cancer in the lead up to Christmas. Brambles Preschool an outdoor nursery in Figheldean,Wiltshire has just been awarded "National Nursery Awards Best Outdoor Learning Environment 2019" Rachel Busby said "We are so thrilled to have achieved this award and to be recognised nationally!" Comins Tea House, in Sturminster Newton launch their first ever book, 'Tales of the Tea Trade' this April! Many congratulations!

OPEN for Business Safe Swimming Tax onMATTERS Airbnb MONEY

A

rental income

irbnb hosting has become extremely popular in recent years and what started out as renting a spare room in your own home has expanded to entire properties. But how is this income taxed and what reliefs are available?

If you are letting out furnished accommodation in your main residence the rent-a-room scheme can be beneficial allowing you to earn rents of up to £7,500 per year tax free (or £3,750 each for joint owners). This will normally be more beneficial than claiming actual expenses, although it is important to note that rent-a-room relief must be claimed against gross income rather than the amount received after commission has been deducted. If actual expenses including commission are greater than £7,500, they may be claimed instead.

If you are letting a property that is not your main residence there are still reliefs available.

If your gross property income is £1,000 or less you do not have to declare the income to HMRC. If your gross income is in excess of £1,000 but you have few or no expenses you can claim up to £1,000 as a flat deduction from your property income. This can be beneficial if you are only occasionally letting a property or have started or ceased letting close to the tax year end.

At the other end of the scale, if you have a property that is available to holidaymakers for at least 210 days a year and let for at least half that time it may qualify as a ‘Furnished Holiday Let’ . Furnished holiday lets are treated similarly to a trade and have tax advantages including capital gains tax relief and capital allowances on the costs of buying furniture and other fixings.

This is only general advice and should not be relied upon; for specific advice tailored to your personal circumstances please contact: Lee Keeling at Andrews and Palmer, The Square, Gillingham, SP8 4AR Tel: 01747 823147 andpal.co.uk Lee@andpal.co.uk

C H A R T E R E D A C C O U N TA N T S

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J

o Borthwick runs a prestigious swim school over the counties and has announced that she is now taking bookings for 2019. Here's what she said about why her school is such a success: "I began my swim school as a one woman show four years ago with just a handful of children. Since then it has grown organically and with an increase in demand for lessons, I decided it was time to expand my team! During the last year Caroline, Kate and Hayley have joined me. Together we proudly teach swimming lessons to a very high standard. We are a small friendly team with a passion for teaching all ages and abilities to swim.

We believe that we offer a most successful and enjoyable route to becoming an accomplished swimmer.

Simply learning to swim isn’t enough.

Our mission is simple; we want to make every child safe in the water. Our pupils are taught first and foremost how to float.

This ensures they are equipped with the survival skills required to safely enjoy the water. Once they have achieved this goal, they can then go on to become strong confident swimmers.

Our classes are small, with in-water teaching, to ensure rapid progress in both

Galloping to Succeed!

G

alhampton Country Store has recently changed hands and also had a name change!

Previously known as Prompt Cabins Town and Country, Charles and Katie Bradley-Hudson purchased the site

technique and water confidence as well as fun, engaging lessons for all. We use small, warmer private pools which are perfect for nervous, shy or less confident swimmers.

Lessons are in term time with intensive courses running throughout the school holidays."

For more information, or to register for lessons, please visit joborthwick.com and shop at the beginning of the year and will move their events business, Bradsons, there in due course.

Meanwhile, the shop continues to sell a wide range of country supplies; pet and animal feed and bedding, country clothing and footwear, coal, logs and gas, and an expanding range of food, fresh milk and 'basics' from the shop.

Following the wonderful support from the local community during their recent 'open weekend', Charles and Katie are now looking forward to the challenge of renovating and updating the site, building and shop. So, watch this space!

The shop is open 7 days a week and you will find them on the A359 between Castle Cary and Sparkford.

Pictured are Charles and Katie with their boys William (9) and George (4).

Inter-generational Initiative Hot on the heels of the popular and groundbreaking research documentary by Channel 4's 'Old People's Home for 4 year olds' comes a local initiative - just as inspirational.

O

ne of the UK’s leading retirement housebuilders, McCarthy & Stone, has launched an inter-generational living project encouraging two generations to learn from each other in the heart of the Dorset community.

Customers from McCarthy & Stone’s Wingfield Court development in Sherborne, Dorset are the first to take part in the scheme, spending quality time with the Key Stage 1 children from a local primary school just 500 yards down the road.

As part of the groups’ vision to create retirement communities to enrich the quality of life for their customers, the project provides them with greater opportunities to integrate with younger generations.

Mark Ridding, Management Services Managing Director said: ‘’It is great to see our customers being able to visit their local school, not only to help teach the children to read, but also to impart their knowledge and life experiences. It is lovely to see the engagement between the two generations, and this project really does support our new vision of creating retirement communities.’’

Research shows this can have huge benefits on mental and physical health and wellbeing for older people. These include improved mobility, less memory loss and the wider advantages of inter-generational living within our communities as well as having many positive effects on the children’s own personal development.

Mrs Ann-Marie Kampf, headteacher of Sherborne Abbey Primary School exclaimed: “It is a wonderful way to introduce members of the community into our school and bring everyone together.

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When we were approached by McCarthy & Stone about the intergenerational project we jumped at the idea. The children love it, their reading skills are improving and so far, it’s just been lots of positives.”

With an immediate bond formed between them, the retirees enjoy spending time with the children helping with reading, as well as teaching them about the world and the inter-generational family dynamic.

At age 80, vocal coach Shelia Harman finds it very stimulating and inspiring when she can encourage younger generations. She says: “Personally I find it a real joy. It is so exciting to listen to these children to build a repertoire between us as the older generation and the young ones.”

Teaching literacy for over 30 years, McCarthy & Stone customer Jo Vincent champions the subject saying if you can read, the world is open: “Every generation has a different mindset, a different history. McCarthy & Stone’s inter-generational project opens doors to new opportunities for we learn from the current generation of young children while teaching them too.”

The retirement living apartments will be welcoming the children to Wingfield Court through the year to meet other homeowners who are not currently involved in the project.

McCarthy & Stone will be working with their developments across the country to roll out the project in a bid to generate thriving communities everywhere.

If you would like to iniatiate a project in your area contact: mccarthyandstone.co.uk

GET CONNECTED With our proven track record for our print platform, we step further into the digital arena with a new website to provide more ways to connect to our Country Child audience.

Please get in touch to find out more on the exciting new online editorial, brand and promotional opportunities.

Promotional prices start from JUST £15 a season!

Contact Matthew Cull on

07794 447105 or email us at

info@countrychild.co.uk Why not join us on our social media channels too... @countrychildmag

@countrychildmagazine

@countrychildmag

COUNTRY CHILD

41

Advertisement Feature

Sharing Family Wealth

Experts at St James Place explain how your families collective wealth can support the while family.

I

ntergenerational wealth management is about how families use their collective wealth to support each other during their lifetimes. So why do you need to plan for this? Increasing life expectancy and major social change mean many families need to reconsider how their wealth can work harder for the benefit of the whole family.

We are now witnessing a phenomenon where the ‘baby boomers’ – those born in the post-war era and approaching retirement – represent the wealthiest generation in our society.

However, whilst they enjoy the fruits of their labour, they are sandwiched between elderly parents facing the challenges of old age and children struggling with the hangover of university debts and spiralling house prices. Managing these issues is undeniably challenging and requires doing things differently than the norm.

Traditionally, wealth has passed from one generation to the next upon death.

However, intergenerational wealth management challenges that notion and looks at how families can use their wealth more collaboratively to support each other during their lifetimes. This offers legitimate estate planning and tax mitigation opportunities, whilst providing the much-needed assistance to alleviate the financial burdens of everyday life.

As families continue to grow and diverge, it becomes ever more important to reach out to all members so that they can understand and be actively engaged in wealth management decisions made on their behalf. But there is another good reason for involving all family members

– intergenerational planning is not, ultimately, a one-way street. Even as you support your children, the understanding is that the wealth may be returned in some form in the future, perhaps to support one’s own care needs.

Younger generations are technologically savvy and their lives tend to be dominated by social media but this is not a place where they want to make life decisions.

Research* shows that overwhelmingly they see their parents as the primary source of advice on financial planning.

Consequently, as older generations discuss transferring wealth to children and grandchildren, they might also want to pass on the virtues about managing money, equipping them to make sound financial decisions long before they have to do it

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themselves. Modern wealth management strategies recognise these needs, how to integrate them into a lifetime plan and the best ways to share family wealth.

For more information please visit our website peterhardingwm.co.uk or telephone  01747 855554. *Source: BNY Mellon, The Generation Game: Savings for the new millennial 2014.

The Partner Practice as an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd.

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F I N A N C I A L A DV I C E O F R E A L F A M I LY VA L U E

Significant wealth has traditionally passed from one generation to another after death. However, as UK demographics change, wealth is increasingly being transferred between generations during our lifetimes. A growing numbers of families are now seeking advice on how best to manage their wealth collaboratively across the generations.

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Protecting your family Investing for children Planning for parents’ long-term care Helping loved ones onto the property ladder Helping to foster the right attitudes to wealth in the next generation

• Working with carefully selected legal teams to establish Wills and lasting powers of attorney • Estate planning and gifting • Creating a trust fund • Passing on your pension fund tax efficiently • Planning the succession of your business

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The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise.You may get back less than the amount invested.

Wills, lasting powers of attorney and trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

36 Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, Dorset, BH13 7LP 40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JG 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU

Tel: 01202 830730 Tel: 01747 855554 Tel: 01935 315315

Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk

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The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/ products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd. Peter Harding Practice Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Number 473 7387. Registered Office: Tucks House, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury, SP7 0AG, England.

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